Unable to apply file association change via GPO

Hurlbut Health Consulting 6 Reputation points
2021-03-25T17:21:20.747+00:00

The goal is to have XML files open in MS Excel. The clients are running Windows 10 ver 2004. Excel is 2019

I have created a file called AppDefaults.xml by editing the file created by the dism tool.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<DefaultAssociations>
<Association Identifier=".xml" ProgId="Applications\EXCEL.EXE" ApplicationName="Excel" />
</DefaultAssociations>

At first the policy was referencing this file from a network share but I have moved it local to the computer while troubleshooting issues.

I created a policy object with just one setting.
Location: Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components ->File Explorer
Setting: "Set a default associations configuration file"
Value: Enabled Default Associations Configuration File: "C:\Drivers\AppDefaults.xml"

While troubleshooting I gave everyone full access to this folder and file. The GPO is applied to an OU and the test computer is in the correct OU.

On the test PC I do see a registry entry was created at: \HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System\
Name: DefaultAssociationsConfiguration
Value: C:\Drivers\AppDefaults.xml

Multiple reboots and gpudate /force commands latter and XML file associations have not changed. I tested with admin and non-admin accounts. I also tested with users who had pre-existing profiles as well as users brand new to the PC. As the above referenced registry entry is being written it appears that the policy is being applied but the default app for XML remains the same. Maybe there is an issue in the AppDefaults.xml file? Any thoughts? Thanks!

Windows
Windows
A family of Microsoft operating systems that run across personal computers, tablets, laptops, phones, internet of things devices, self-contained mixed reality headsets, large collaboration screens, and other devices.
4,735 questions
0 comments

2 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Fan Fan 15,291 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor
    2021-03-26T07:17:37.5+00:00

    Hi,

    You can check the GPO applied in the output of the command :Gpresult /h c:\report.html
    You can check more details from the gpsvc log.(Not suggest to post here due to security reason)
    https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/askds/2015/04/17/a-treatise-on-group-policy-troubleshootingnow-with-gpsvc-log-analysis/

    If everything works well for the GPO, then you can confirm the xml file again.

    Best Regards,

    0 comments
  2. Hurlbut Health Consulting 6 Reputation points
    2021-03-26T13:36:12.407+00:00

    Thanks for the reply. We did verify the policy is being applied using the gpresult command. I created a new AppDefaults.xml file via the dism command and put the complete unedited file in the appropriate directory. Still no luck - the XML file association has not changed.